MY PERSPECTIVE, Gary Damron
Last week we reviewed Exodus chapters 32 and 33, where Moses interceded three times for the children of Israel. First, he pleaded for God to spare them; then he asked for forgiveness on their behalf; and finally his prayer was for God's presence to accompany them to the Promised Land. He yearned to be there, but realized that God's presence was essential - without Him, it would be just another place. A modern songwriter captures the thought with the lyrics, "You're my promised land". Had the Israelites grasped this, their journey would not have lasted for forty years.
The people needed a leader who recognized their need for God's presence and interceded on their behalf. Today, Jesus is our intercessor - He pleads our case, advocates before the Father, and prays for our needs. His sacrificial death and resurrection provide salvation, and He sits at God's right hand. Hebrews 7:25 declares, "Jesus is able to save completely those who come to God through Him, because He always lives to intercede for them."
In Exodus 33:7-11, Moses pitched his tent outside the camp, calling it the Tabernacle of Meeting. When he entered, the presence of God descended as a pillar of cloud, and God spoke to Moses as a friend. Meanwhile, the people watched from their doorways, worshiping but unable or unwilling to approach. After Moses left, his assistant Joshua lingered in God's presence and modeled deep devotion. The scene illustrates our need for intentional time with God. We may attend Sunday services or offer a quick prayer, but if we stand at a distance like the Israelites, admiring His presence from afar, the promised land remains out of reach.
Joshua's choice to stay shows the value of lingering, like Mary who sat at Jesus' feet while Martha busied herself (Luke 10:38-42). Jesus praised Mary for choosing "the better part". In a busy world, we can either watch from the doorway, or like Joshua and Mary, spend time in God's presence.
In Exodus 33:14, God promised Moses His presence would go with him, and He would give rest. Yet Moses desired even more of God, so he pleaded, "'Show me Your glory!'" God placed Moses in the cleft of a rock, shielding him as His glory passed by (Exodus 33:18, 21-22). This rock foreshadows Jesus, our refuge, our protection, and a constant presence.
True spiritual growth often happens "outside the camp", away from distractions, when we dedicate time to God. Hebrews 13:12-13 reads, "Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people through His own blood, suffered outside the gate. So, let us go out to Him outside the camp, bearing His reproach." Jesus' prayer of consecration in Gethsemane was, "'Not my will, but thine'". His death on Golgotha provided cleansing and death to sin. His resurrection brought about the ability to live a holy life. Our "going forth" is not to a place, but on a journey with God to His glory.
Paul echoed that type of consecration in Romans 12:1-2. “I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” Centuries before, David wrote, "O God, You are my God; I shall seek You earnestly; my soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for You, in a dry and weary land where there is no water" (Psalm 63:1). Waiting on God requires discipline, but yields rest and renewal for thirsty souls.
Going beyond superficial worship leads to peace in the face of even great loss. When Jesus was preparing to leave the disciples, He shared that the Holy Spirit would abide with them, and guide them into all truth, revealing God's will and glorifying Jesus (John 14:16-17; John 16:13, 14). He spoke to the woman at the well about worshiping in spirit and truth (John 4:24).
Hundreds of years before Jesus' birth, Jeremiah wrote, "'I will put My law within them and on their heart'" (Jeremiah 31:33), indicating a direct and personal relationship with Him. We think of heaven as streets of gold and gates of pearl, but Revelation 21:23 reads, “The city had no need of the sun or moon, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp.” Revelation 22:5 adds, “Night will be no more… for the Lord God will be their light.”
Experiencing closeness with God requires sacrifice, emptying our lives of fillers to make room. The Israelites' journey showed progress: from idolatry to repentance, and from doorways to deeper devotion. God's light portrays His holiness while revealing our own limitations. As we examine our priorities, are we like the people, standing distant, or like Moses and Joshua who sought God's glory? We will face distractions and temptations, but when we repent, accept the intercession of Jesus, and wait on the Spirit, we find true purpose in His presence. Perceived losses become gains. Our journey leads us home to the eternal city, our promised land, where God is all we need.
